Shift Knobs

[wkndwrrr]

The stock knob is great, but I'm finding that the leather around the shift pattern insert is wearing out fast.
So I've been looking into some aftermarket knobs, was wondering if anyone had experience with the feel and fitment of these:
-the BMW performance knob

-the Bimmian knob

-TWM knob (a little rice for the euro scene, but I love the feel of circular shift knobs from past Japanese cars, just concerned on fitment of this one)


Any other suggestions?

[Daniel135i]

I usually go with MOMO products. And before you shout rice, they are made in Italy.

[Dee Pee]

I've got a light up knob on my M Roadster and at 9 years and 22k miles it's holding up very well. I'd love to get one for the 1M. It looks so cool.

[l888apex]

not a suggestion, just a wish. the stock knob lit up covered with alcantara to match the trim!

[wkndwrrr]

Originally Posted by Daniel135i

I usually go with MOMO products. And before you shout rice, they are made in Italy.

I love the shape of the Momo Aluminium Sport shift knob, although I'm not sure if I like the momo branding across the top. How is the fitment of Momo though?

Originally Posted by l888apex

not a suggestion, just a wish. the stock knob lit up covered with alcantara to match the trim!

It's a shame we don't get the wiring for illuminated shift knobs

[Dan Parker]

The BMW Performance knob feels great on the 1M. The only problem is that the stock knob is fabricated to the boot. I removed the boot and stock knob (1 piece) and smacked a BMW Performance knob on the shifter for a recent trip up to VIR. It obviously looked stupid but I was in a hurry when I did it. It seems a little shorter than the stock knob and I like the feel a little better. Now I need to figure out how to make it work with the stock boot.

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

The BMW Performance knob feels great on the 1M. The only problem is that the stock knob is fabricated to the boot. I removed the boot and stock knob (1 piece) and smacked a BMW Performance knob on the shifter for a recent trip up to VIR. It obviously looked stupid but I was in a hurry when I did it. It seems a little shorter than the stock knob and I like the feel a little better. Now I need to figure out how to make it work with the stock boot.

If it's anything like the 1-piece boot/knob on the 135i's (which I'm sure the concept is the same), you can turn the boot inside out and there are a few clips you can undo/break - this will not damage anything but instead separate the knob from the boot. At this point you can sit the boot back in place, and the performance knob will sit right on top, creating a snug fit and you won't need to do anything else. This has been done over and over before by 135i owners.

[pixelblue]

I have the bimmian which is made by NRG. It's a really nice piece and it weighs 8 OZ. Only problem is it gets cold in winter and hot in summer so you'll need gloves for winter and you need to keep the car under a shade for summer. Momo's are nice but a bit over designed for what it needs to be for my taste. You should look at Isota as well.

[Daniel135i]

Originally Posted by wkndwrrr

I love the shape of the Momo Aluminium Sport shift knob, although I'm not sure if I like the momo branding across the top. How is the fitment of Momo though?



It's a shame we don't get the wiring for illuminated shift knobs

Most MOMOs are general fit... they will fit on most any shaft, they have a set screw that tightens onto the shaft to keep it in place and a lock ring on the bootie.

No cars useually come with wiring for the illuminated shift knobs, you just have to run the wires to a hot source and ground.

And I do believe MOMO had an illuminated knob a while back, search for it it might be available still.

[MusclezMarinara]

I love the OEM ///M Shift knob

[ESC OFF]

I had the BMW perf knob on my 135i for 2 years, it still looked like new. The feel and size were very good. My only comment would be the color of the shift pattern may look strange in the 1M?

[Dan Parker]

"If it's anything like the 1-piece boot/knob on the 135i's (which I'm sure the concept is the same), you can turn the boot inside out and there are a few clips you can undo/break - this will not damage anything but instead separate the knob from the boot. At this point you can sit the boot back in place, and the performance knob will sit right on top, creating a snug fit and you won't need to do anything else. This has been done over and over before by 135i owners."

I figured this but I like how the factory knob and boot are seamless and I'd like to make it that way with the performance knob and stock boot.

[wkndwrrr]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

"If it's anything like the 1-piece boot/knob on the 135i's (which I'm sure the concept is the same), you can turn the boot inside out and there are a few clips you can undo/break - this will not damage anything but instead separate the knob from the boot. At this point you can sit the boot back in place, and the performance knob will sit right on top, creating a snug fit and you won't need to do anything else. This has been done over and over before by 135i owners."

I figured this but I like how the factory knob and boot are seamless and I'd like to make it that way with the performance knob and stock boot.

If I get the TWM knob, I was going to tuck the top of the boot inside as suggested.
But for the BMW performance knob or Bimmian knob, Bimmian actually offers a alcantara shift boot that should tuck perfectly into the knobs, creating the seamless look. Only issue is that they don't have a 1M style boot, the closest would be Alcantara with Red Stiching


Edit:
Does anyone have experience with how TWM knobs fit on BMWs?

[wkndwrrr]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

The BMW Performance knob feels great on the 1M. The only problem is that the stock knob is fabricated to the boot. I removed the boot and stock knob (1 piece) and smacked a BMW Performance knob on the shifter for a recent trip up to VIR. It obviously looked stupid but I was in a hurry when I did it. It seems a little shorter than the stock knob and I like the feel a little better. Now I need to figure out how to make it work with the stock boot.

So I solved this problem... kinda.
The shift boot isn't fabricated onto the knob. It's just connected via three teets. The big tweet disconnects with a small flat head screw driver. The two small teets however must be broken. The bottom of these teets are too big for the holes they're connected through.
So that's how you get the shift knob to separate from the shift boot.

If you wanted to connect the two back together, two small dollops of glue where the two small teets are, the big teet just snaps back into place; done.

[Beemer22]

Originally Posted by MusclezMarinara

I love the OEM ///M Shift knob

Yes it's nice, BTW, my 1M's knob is not lid. Are they suppose to be?

[Tit]

Had these on our minis....great quality...nice 'n heavy - gives a positive shift...haven't seen one on a 1'er yet, though...

http://www.whalenshiftmachine.com/in...=index&cPath=2

[Flash237]

Im wondering how the Active autowerke Shift knob would fit?

[Powerbeast]

Ill be ordering the BMW performance.

[Robcut1]

Originally Posted by Tit

Had these on our minis....great quality...nice 'n heavy - gives a positive shift...haven't seen one on a 1'er yet, though...

http://www.whalenshiftmachine.com/in...=index&cPath=2

+1
I have a Whalen knob on my 1M
Look up the anniversary thread I posted.

[theblackangus]

I had the 1st knob pictured in the thread on the short throw in my 135i. I love that knob... just perfect and like someone said - looked brand new after 14k miles over 3 years.

I need to get one of those for my 1m.

[int2str]

Once more vote for the BMW Performance shift knob.
Though if you like the round ones, you're probably not going to like the flat top of the BMW Performance knob.

Here it is in my car with matching BMW Performance e-brake lever and of course the steering wheel:

[///M1]

I'm personally waiting for the F10 M5 (US-only) 6-spd manual as it will allegedly be lit up (and the one seen at the NJ Cars and Coffee had the same ZHP knob as on the 1///M). So hoping it is a direct swap yet illuminated.